Preston Station treated to splash of style as Best of Britannia heads North

Preston Station will be treated to a splash of style next week as the city plays host to a major UK brand exhibition.

Virgin Trains, which manages the station, is partnering with Best of Britannia to give station users a taste of the iconic and upcoming designs featuring in the show.

Best of Britannia has gained a reputation for showcasing the defining British-produced fashion, jewellery, accessories, motoring, cycling, food and drink.

As it has grown in size and stature, the exhibition has expanded into two events, continuing BoB London but adding BoB North, which will be held in Preston’s historic Post Office and Market Square between May 15 and 17.

In the days leading up to the Preston event, exhibitors will be given space within the station to showcase their wares, bringing the station to life for visitors to the city and regular travellers.
The partnership builds on the success of the pop-up shop initiative last year which saw Virgin Trains support local businesses across its network, inviting them into its stations to promote their goods to passengers.

Virgin Trains has also partnered with one of the exhibitors of BOB North, cycling accessories brand Carradice, to create a limited edition bike bag made entirely of recycled materials which will be revealed at the event.

Joe Pidgeon, Event Director for Best of Britannia, said: “Having launched Best of Britannia in the Olympic and Diamond Jubilee year of 2012 and Buy British Day in 2014 we are delighted to be bringing our pop-up department store experience to Preston, fulfilling our remit to truly represent brands from across the length and breadth of the UK.”

Anna Doran, Virgin Trains’ General Manager for Anglo-Scottish services, added: “We’re really proud to serve Preston and enormously excited to support this great event.

“Best of Britannia highlights some of the most exciting brands the country is producing right now and it is entirely fitting that it is being held in this great city.”

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “The first ever BoB North in Preston could not happen without partnerships and we were delighted to have put BoB and Virgin Trains together at the very start of the event planning process.  Virgin’s support has helped raise the profile of the event across the North West, through advertising at stations on routes into Preston and by hosting a pop-up BoB exhibition at Preston station. 

“Thanks to Virgin, rail visitors will arrive awesome and be greeted by this tempting teaser of the delights that await them at the main event."

BoB North will play host to, amongst many consumers, a flurry of trade buyers and national media journalists all of which will be delivered into Preston Train Station in style by Virgin Trains.

Exhibitors will be in the station from Wednesday, May 13 to the conclusion of the show.
Virgin Trains run fast, frequent train services connecting Preston to the key cities of London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Journeys from London and Glasgow take a little over two hours.

BoB North is also proud to be working in partnership with Marketing Lancashire, Preston City Council, Virgin Trains and UCLan to ensure maximum impact to both exhibitor and visitor.

For further details contact:
Damien Henderson, Virgin Trains: 07739 479492
Joe Pidgeon, Best of Britannia: 07557 375500